Far Northwest Coalition

JULY 2005 FNWC MINUTES

JULY 2005 FNWC MINUTES

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION
P. O. BOX 340285
COLUMBUS, OH 43234-0285


July 27, 2005

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library. Members present of the FNWC Board were John Best, Joe McCumber and Rich Herner.

Best introduced the members of the FNWC present to the group in attendance. The FNWC discussed with Bill Weary, the WKHS athletic director, the outlook for WKHS from an enrollment perspective. The new housing developments in the immediate area were specifically mentioned. Weary said the new housing should help stabilize enrollment at WKHS. He noted that both Virginia and MI Homes hope to become corporate sponsors for the school. In addition, it was mentioned that MI Homes was considering allowing access to their property for WKHS cross country runners to train.

Jeff Pharion, of the City Code Enforcement division, was present. He said it tends to be the same groups that continue to violate the zoning codes. The group specifically discussed the Imke signs, both the electronic and the high freeway signs. In addition, the large billboard near the Pizza Hut on St. Rt. 161 was mentioned, as was the Shell station at Sawmill and Snouffer Roads.

Aaron Underhill, as agent for MI Homes then made a presentation to the FNWC asking for a variance on their property to construct a noise wall along I-270. He said the original thought was to erect a decorative fence and along with the trees at the property edge would provide a sufficient barrier. They now feel that a sound wall will be necessary. Since the wall would require a foundation, the variance request is necessary. The wall would be within 5’ to 10’ of the ODOT right of way, depending on the specific spot along the property line. They plan for a tongue in groove wood wall made of pressure treated southern pine lumber. It would not be painted. The wall would vary from 8’ to 16’ in height, depending upon location, since the land slopes upwards in areas, in relation to the freeway. Underhill did not know exactly why MI has suddenly decided it needs a sound wall in the area. He said the HOA would maintain the wall, which he claims would require no maintenance for 20-30 years.

The FNWC was skeptical of the time frame mentioned for maintenance of the wall. It was also questioned as to whether the HOA would maintain the freeway side of the wall, if it would end up with graffiti and the like, since the graffiti would not be on the side that would be visible to the homeowners. The FNWC also questioned the effectiveness of a wood wall, versus the concrete walls that have already been erected along the I-270 corridor. Underhill said the wall would conform to federal highway standards for sound effectiveness.

Underhill said that MI had spoken to the state about erecting the sound wall but the state was not interested at this point. He said they also spoke to the same contractor which had done the state work but would be charged 60% more than the state had paid for the same work, which MI felt was too much for the project.

Underhill had some pictures of the tree line along the property, adjacent to I-270. He said they had already cleared out some of the brush for the originally anticipated wood fence. He said the wall would be visible in spots along the highway but not too much from the homeowners’ perspective; again giving rise to the question of maintenance by the HOA for issues on the freeway side of the wall.

The wall would be roughly a half mile long. Underhill did not know the planned construction timing; whether it would be erected before, after, or in conjunction with the housing construction. He said they have had a tree service out to look and the wall can be built without disturbing any more of the trees present. It was noted by Underhill that this request would be going to the BZA on August 9. The FNWC asked for a copy of the arborist’s report on the tree issue.

Underhill then made a short presentation to the group for a variance for Lot # 38 in the same development area. This request was not on the agenda. The particular lot in question slopes dramatically back to the water. Since the lot requires a 25’ building setback, the back of the planned home is within 6’ of the slope down to the water. They want to move the home 5’ closer to the street so the drop off would be 11’ behind the home. Thus, the lot would only have a 20’ setback rather than the 25’ required in the code, not then consistent with the other homes in the immediate area.

The FNWC asked about putting a different home style on the lot so the setback requirements could be adhered to. Underhill said that MI is a production builder and felt that MI had certain homes plans and would probably not change its plans to accommodate the lot size.

Gary Rowe, the president of California Fitness then made a conceptual presentation to the FNWC for possible remodeling and building changes for his location in the New Market Mall. He said he was not representing the owner, Casto Corp. but was just looking for some input from the group concerning possible changes and updates. He said he has several locations in Columbus now and would like to keep the one at New Market but feels he will have to make improvements to continue to compete. He has already made a substantial investment in the property and would like to do more, including a gym and a swimming pool; but he feels he needs a more visual presence. Signage issues and building height considerations were discussed by the group.

Bill Weary, the WKHS athletic director then made a short presentation to the group for a graphics variance to allow an electronic sign in front of the school, located at 1499 Hard Road. He said the sign would be used only for specific school related events; there would be no commercial advertisements at all, nor any birthday greetings and the like. He noted that the sign was available in either red or amber lighting and had agreed to the amber lighting, as requested by the FNWC. He said the sign text would be displayed for a minute at a time; not streaming at all. He said it would eliminate the sandwich type boards that are used now to advertise school events. The wireless communication to the sign was discussed with security measures in mind. He said that security measures were included in the electronics package being purchased.

Weary noted that there will be a 15’ setback from the new sidewalk and that they have discussed the plans with the marching band director, since the marching band uses the front lawn as a practice area. The Boosters have the funds available to complete the sign and the only cost to the school district is to relocate the electric to the site. He also noted that the school principal was very enthused with the idea and that it had been signed off on by the school district itself.

Weary said the variance request had already been to the graphics commission on 7/19/05 and had been conditionally approved. Weary said they had come back to the FNWC as a courtesy. He said they knew that the FNWC still had some questions and they wanted to be responsible to the local community and not alienate anyone in this process. He said Dave Reiss on the BZA could verify the conditions for approval; that there be no rapid fire notices and no commercial type advertisements on the sign.

The FNWC then again discussed the request by MI Homes for a sound wall for the property along I-270. There were concerns that this had not been brought up as part of the initial plan. The FNWC is also concerned that there would be a wood sound wall in that corridor, which would not be compatible in looks or effectiveness to the walls now in place. In addition, the existing trees were discussed and how the developer will get concrete to the site to pour the necessary foundations without endangering them. The consensus of the group present was to have MI provide more information on the request, and specifically the tree expert’s information.

The FNWC consensus was also to ask for more information on the lot setback request from MI. The group would like to see more information on the setback lines in relation to the adjacent properties and possible building reconfiguration to fall within the setback requirements. The group is concerned about the look of the street, with one home being 5 ‘ closer to the street than the rest of them.

The consensus of the FNWC members seemed to be favorable to the possible reconfiguration of the California Fitness Center at the New Market Mall, tho more information would certainly be required for further review.

The consensus of the members of the FNWC present was that they were in favor of the graphics variance requested by WKHS for an electronic sign. The favorable reaction was subject to the applicant’s commitment that the sign color would be amber, there would be no streaming or commercially influenced messages and the message display would be for one minute at a time.

There being no further business to come before the FNWC, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,


Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary